A formidable obstacle looms in Narendra Modi’s way on the road to the prime ministership, and her name is Jayalalitha. She can be an indispensable ally, or the cause of countless headaches.

More than 140 people have died of the virus so far in Africa, though the outbreak does not appear to have spread beyond Guinea and Liberia. While that’s mildly encouraging, in the age of globalization, a deadly virus can be only one airplane ride away from anyone on earth.

Higher education is evolving slowly but surely, and one small school is giving its adult students credit for the skills they already have.

As tensions in Pakistan remain high due to Musharraf’s on-going trial, the country’s biggest TV station accused the intelligence agency of attacking a famous journalist. In response, the Defense Ministry demanded the channel be shut down.

The Russian gas company Gazprom just announced a massive additional $11.4 billion charge for Ukraine. The charge comes under the controversial “take-or-pay” contract clause, and will put further strain on a state already struggling to stay afloat.

The ACA’s recent PR victories may not have cheered Democratic voters up as much as they did the law’s supporters in the media. Could the Democratic base’s ongoing distaste for the law cost three Senators their re-elections?

President Obama will have to be at the top of his diplomatic game on his trip to Asia, and he’s made a good start. In a recent speech, he reassured Japan that the U.S. would protect its territory, and China didn’t get too annoyed in response.

The German government wants to lower the country’s retirement age and pay out more in pensions. That’s not a smart move for the EU country with the oldest population and lowest birthrate.

The United Auto Workers union suddenly has withdrawn its opposition to the recent anti-unionization vote in Tennessee. Will it retreat from the whole south next?

In March, Vladimir Putin was the “Terminator.” This month, he’s Mr. Congeniality. What’s behind the sudden shift in rhetoric?